Showers Pass Lightweight Waterproof Socks

I've always been sceptical about waterproof socks, but after spending a good few weeks with the Showers Pass Lightweight Waterproof Socks, my doubts have been almost completely dispelled. They're toasty warm, keep your feet dry in almost all circumstances, and don't feel like plastic bags over your feet.

• Pros: Waterproof, reasonably breathable, warm
• Cons: Cost

How's this been achieved? Well, Showers Pass says that these socks are constructed of three layers to achieve its goals of waterproofness, but also breathability and a sock-like feel.

> Buy these online here

Outside, they look like a pair of think winter socks thanks to a tough-wearing knitted exterior with toe and heel reinforcement, while the middle layer is a breathable yet waterproof Artex membrane that you can visually see through the yarn if you stretch the sock. The innermost layer is a 'Coolmax FX' antibacterial and moisture-wicking lining designed to help with comfort as well as help get moisture moving.

Together, the three layers do a great job to provide a protective shield for your feet without insulating them too much. I've not only used them on the bike (along with toe warmers and once with full-on shoe covers), but also during rowing outings where they've not only been hit with rain and splashback, but have also been dipped into the river too.

The result in every case is that my feet (with the addition of trainer liners on freezing mornings) have always remained dry in all conditions short of repeated submerging and then squeezing to actively force water through. That's including some of the sleety-freezing rain conditions we've enjoyed in the south west recently. You can even fill them up with tap water with surprisingly little leakage, and when they come out of the wash soggy, you can make small balloons out of them.

Despite this, breathability is remarkably good, as long as the weather isn't too warm. I found as long as I wore them in sub-10°C temperatures they were able to keep my feet cool and relatively dry – certainly dryer than I've found by wearing shoe covers in similar conditions. If I were wearing trainer liners these would sometimes end up a touch damp, but you can expect that when you do start to get a little warm.

They're also marketed as being lightweight – Showers Pass says they're nine per cent lighter over the old lightweight waterproof socks – and we weighed them at 123g in the L/XL size on test. Don't be fooled too much: they're still winter sock thick, and then some. If you're wearing shoes that fit you perfectly already in the summer (as I do), you're going to be squeezing your toes quite a bit if you're wearing them during the winter, which has a knock-on effect on all-important circulation, which can really affect how warm your feet are.

> How to keep your feet warm while cycling in winter

If you've some shoes you wear for winter only, perhaps a half size bigger to accommodate winter socks, then these are perfect. Otherwise, you'll need to be careful if you still want warm feet without dreaded pins and needles.

The sizing is excellent, although it's worth pointing out that when you pull them on, they don't line up quite right if you assume the chevron design on the rear is supposed to be square with the centre of the back of your leg. If you do line it up, then the foot and ankle sections feel twisted. It's not the end of the world, though, and as long as you're comfortable around the foot and ankle you forget about the slight design misalignment.

Nevertheless, the socks are a remarkably flexible and useful piece of kit to have for those cold and wet days – for cycling and more. Yes at £27, they're expensive, but they definitely have their use and are certainly worth a try if you like to take the elements on, rather than hide from them.

Verdict

Useful and genuinely waterproof and breathable socks